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Updated: Apr 16, 2026
Therapy Testing in a Spheroid-based 3D Cell Culture Model for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Published on: April 20, 2018
Spirituality and Religiosity in Adults With Head and Neck Cancer: A Scoping Review of Concepts, Measures, and
Liliana Wolf Braun1, Caique Mariano Pedroso1, Helena Miguel Cotter1
1Oral Diagnosis Department, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil.
Objective:
To synthesize evidence on spirituality in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC), focusing on its dimensions, assessment strategies, and impact on health outcomes.
Methods:
A comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, LILACS, Web of Science, Scopus, and gray literature identified qualitative and quantitative studies explicitly addressing spirituality in HNC. Eligible sources were narratively synthesized.
Results:
Twenty-one studies met inclusion criteria. Core spiritual dimensions included the search for meaning, inner peace, religious faith, and a positive outlook. Six studies reported associations between spirituality and improved quality of life (QoL), while three described enhanced coping capacity and emotional resilience. Religious faith, irrespective of denomination, was associated with better pain management, fewer treatment-related side effects, lower existential distress, and, in some studies, improved survival outcomes. The Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-being Scale was the most frequently applied instrument, assessing beliefs, meaning, and inner peace.
Conclusion:
Spirituality was frequently associated with coping capacity, psychological adjustment, and QoL in patients with HNC. Integrating spiritual care into holistic oncology practice may enhance treatment adherence, resilience, and patient well-being.
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